@bossedit8's Level Review - 1st level: Dry Desert - Created by @rchpweblo
Design Usage:
Deserted theme going on. I actually do like the level design on some point but due to the fact that the level itself is kinda short like in SMB, I feel like it should be something more rather than this but at least you provided a secret in this area which requires a lot of quicksand progressing. I'd rather not really design something like mashing my buttons repeatetly and also maybe waiting just to get to the secret area. I'd rather just go down instead and get to the secret rather than mashing my buttons and move to the right aswell. About the level itself, it's pretty basic with multiple stuff going on even that you have to use mushroom blocks in order to get something unreachable but it would be more recommended to have a little more reward than this right now since you literally go out of your way to find something. Of course we have a 1UP block but that's invisible at the top of the area. As I already mentioned before, I do find this level rather short though no matter if you are taking the regular or secret pathway. The way how you end the level, there is a boss you have to fight and after that the level ends. Concept originally from SMB2.
Point Rating: 2
NPC Placements:
NPCs were ok for the most part as they do kinda have variety to get through the whole area but what I find it rather strange is that there are like NPCs that are just appearing once in the entire level (with the exception for bosses) like piranha plants that can spit fire, upside down piranha plant, bullet bill shooter and sparkies. About the secret boss though which is a red sledge brother throwing buggy hammers, his speed is too fast like he's so fast that he basically kills himself. Reason why the hammer brother is fast is that you put the speed on
1.2. You know what this means? In american PCs they can read it just fine but in european PCs like mine, they just simply ignore the dot entirely and make it from speed 1.2 to 12 and that can mess up the gameplay entirely once you reach the point where it's gonna break.
Check this topic for further information about coding differences via world location. Coin placements were a little low... more would be acceptable especially at places where you have to go forth and back in a little bit of seconds and such like at the mushroom platforming area or anything else where you have to go back a bit aswell. Power ups were quite a lot in this kind of level especially for a short one but if that is for your first level in your project, it's sort of reasonable.
Point Rating: 3
Overall Rating Score: 5
Average
Despite these flaws that I've mentioned throughout my review, I do kinda like the level by myself.
I'm unable to review your second level so far since it's basically unfinished... obviously.